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Guilford Girls’ Hockey Picks Up a Pair of Wins

The Guilford girls’ ice hockey team improved to 3-2 on the year after earning a pair of victories last week. On Jan. 10, the Indians hosted the Branford-North Branford-East Haven co-op squad and claimed a 6-1 win at Patsy DiLungo Ice Rink. The following evening, they skated to a 7-1 road win against Hand-Coginchug-Valley Regional-Old Lyme at Northford Ice Pavilion.

Rich Binkowski, who’s in his fourth year as head coach, was pleased with Guilford’s recent victories. Binkowski also feels happy about the fact that Guilford continues to field its own team, while so many other programs have had to join forces with other schools to form co-ops.

“We’ve always had a good feeder program in our town. It’s one of the reasons why we’ve been able to remain a standalone team,” Binkowski said. “There aren’t many left in Connecticut. We’re quite proud of being able to do that.”

Sophomore Maddie Epke is centering the Indians’ first line this year. She scored four goals when Gulford earned a 5-4 win against Hamden-Wilbur Cross-Lyman Hall earlier in the season. Last year, Epke had 26 goals to go with 12 assists as a freshman.

“Maddie has become the face of our team,” Coach Binkowski said. “She is just a quality athlete. She has grown up around the game.”

Epke is joined on the first line by fellow sophomore Daniella Vickerman and senior Audrey Rowan. Vickerman turned in a four-goal performance in last week’s over Branford-North Branford-East Haven.

“Daniella is one of those fast, experienced, hard-working players, while Audrey brings senior experience with her,” said Binkowski.

Freshman Kim Evans playing center on the second line for Guilford. Evans is flanked by senior alternate captain Lily Mackey and junior Christina Garofalo on the wings.

“Kim’s a very talented player for a freshman, and Christina was a figure skater before she came to high school. Her strength and balance--which I’m sure she developed while figure skating--makes her a very strong, aggressive, and fast player,” Binkowski said. “Lily has one of the best shots on the team. Right now, we’re working on making her a little more accurate.”

Senior Ava Bucci is another important forward on the Indians’ roster. Bucci can slot into either of the first two lines at any time.

“Ava was a kid who came to us as a freshman and couldn’t skate. She has gotten better through constant hard work,” said Binkowski. “Her attitude is what makes her stand out. She’s willing to work and work to improve as much as she can.”

Guilford features plenty of experience on defense this season. Senior captains Jaime Neleber and Mary Evans are anchoring the Indians’ defensive corps alongside sophomore Olivia Gill.

“Jaime’s the consummate defensive player. She plays defense in hockey very much like she plays defense in field hockey. Nobody’s going to get by her,” Coach Binkowski said. “Mary Evans is also a three-sport athlete. The best way to describe her is gritty. She’s a tough defender who will take opponents into the corners and wind up with the puck. Next to Maddie, Olivia is the second-best player on our team. She grew up playing a higher level of hockey.”

Sophomore Julia McDonald has been holding things down in goal for the Indians. McDonald played goalie during the Guilford field hockey team’s run to the Class M state title last fall.

“Julia spends her summers playing ice hockey and I’m sure some field hockey, as well,” Binkowski said. “She’s always going to goalie clinics in one sport or the other.”

Two of Guilford’s assistant coaches—Tom Epke and Scott Neleber—have daughters on the team. The Indians’ other assistant coach is Kitty Palmer, who guided the field hockey squad to its undefeated season in 2019.

“I’m always looking for help, and these three are great,” said Binkowski of his assistant coaches. “They bring enthusiasm to the program.”

After losing two of its first three games of the season, Guilford is trending upward following its two wins last week. Coach Binkowski said he likes the group of athletes that are hitting the ice for the Indians this winter.

“The expectation level has been kept high. We want to be a strong, dominant, and successful team,” Binkowski said. “We did have a bit of a rocky start, but I can see improvement already. These kids love the game.